Cyclocross event-legal tires for 26" wheels?
01-14-23, 10:50 PM
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Cyclocross event-legal tires for 26" wheels?
I'm an older guy who's up to giving a local event a try this coming September. I'm not as limber as when I was young, so I have an older steel MTB that has a nice, low top tube that should make dismounting and mounting quite a bit easier. I do my own mechanical work and have pretty much everything sorted except... tires. The frame is made for 26" wheels (aka 559s). I don't see how I could fit 584s or 590s in, so I'm limited there. Where I'm having a challenge is finding tires that are at or under the legal width limit of 33mm.
Does anyone know of tires that would fit in this size AND have a suitable tread pattern for an event?
Thanks,
Z (from C&V)
Does anyone know of tires that would fit in this size AND have a suitable tread pattern for an event?
Thanks,
Z (from C&V)
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01-14-23, 11:58 PM
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Check with the organizers. The events near me only enforce rules like this at the fastest level of competition.
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01-15-23, 08:18 AM
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The 33mm width is only enforced at Nationals for amateur racers, and UCI level categories at any other races, the rest of the time it is a run what you brung. Back in the late 90's when I was racing cross on my mountain bike I had a set of Continental Cross Country tires in a 26x1.5 and those were great. Like mentioned above check with the promoter or your local USAC official that may be working the race and they could tell you what rules apply at each event.
01-15-23, 08:20 AM
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Thanks. I will do so.
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01-16-23, 11:12 AM
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Just to confirm - USA Cycling specifically states on their website that "any tire width is allowed for local USA Cycling-permitted cyclocross races".
Even at the USA Cycling National Championships, the 33mm rule only applies to certain categories now (masters can run up to 38mm, for instance).
Even at the USA Cycling National Championships, the 33mm rule only applies to certain categories now (masters can run up to 38mm, for instance).
01-16-23, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by USAZorro
I have an older steel MTB that has a nice, low top tube that should make dismounting and mounting quite a bit easier.
01-16-23, 12:13 PM
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I raced in exactly 1 CX event on a 26er, and I ran these, kinda the only "CX" tire I could find: https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...o-26?fltr=3750
01-16-23, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by superdex
I raced in exactly 1 CX event on a 26er, and I ran these, kinda the only "CX" tire I could find: https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...o-26?fltr=3750
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01-16-23, 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Eric F
Proper dismounting and mounting technique does not happen over the top tube.
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01-17-23, 01:12 AM
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Originally Posted by USAZorro
40+ years ago I could probably run a course as fast as I could ride it today. I have no doubt that I should be able to manage dismounting off the back, but getting back on... maybe not. I still like the idea of the smaller frame though.
01-18-23, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Eric F
Mounting doesn’t happen over the top tube, either. Learning and practicing proper technique for getting on and off your bike is worth the effort. Also, a lower top tube also means a smaller space for shouldering the bike for run-ups. This is not an advantage.
I'm also trying to imagine how someone gets on a bike by swinging a leg over the top tube, but not the saddle.
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